Clean Power Plan
On August 3, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Clean Power Plan (CPP) final rule, designed to reduce carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired power plants. According to EPA, fossil fuel-fired power plants are by far the largest source of U.S. CO 2 emissions, making up 31 percent of U.S. total greenhouse gas emissions. The goal of the CPP was to reduce carbon pollution from the power sector by 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.
In a series of letters to the Administration and Congress, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has expressed its support for a national standard on carbon pollution from power plants and has urged lawmakers and the Administration not to weaken the CPP. However, the CPP is on hold pending litigation and an administrative review ordered by President Trump. Meanwhile, some states, including Virginia, are pursuing their own emission reduction plans. For additional information, click on the resources listed below.
In a series of letters to the Administration and Congress, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has expressed its support for a national standard on carbon pollution from power plants and has urged lawmakers and the Administration not to weaken the CPP. However, the CPP is on hold pending litigation and an administrative review ordered by President Trump. Meanwhile, some states, including Virginia, are pursuing their own emission reduction plans. For additional information, click on the resources listed below.
- “About Carbon Standards and the Clean Power Plan” background paper, from the Catholic Climate Covenant (Sept. 2015)
- “Options for Implementing the Clean Power Plan in Virginia,” from the SJN CCH Ministry (March 2016)
- "Global Climate Change" background paper, from USCCB (Jan. 2016)
- Comments to EPA on Carbon Pollution Standards for Existing Power Plants, from Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski and Bishop Richard E. Pates (July 2014)
- Letter to Congress Regarding Protecting Creation and Carbon Pollution Standards, from Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski (June 2015)
- Letter to Senate on Protecting Nonprofit Energy-Efficiency Program and a National Carbon Standard, from Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski (Feb. 2016)
- Letter to Secretary of State Tillerson Regarding Care for Creation, from Bishop Oscar Cantú, Bishop Frank J. Dewane, and Mr. Sean L. Callahan (Feb. 2017)
- Letters to National Security Advisor McMaster and Secretary of the Treasury Mnuchin Regarding Our Shared Obligation to Care for the Environment, from Bishop Oscar Cantú, Bishop Frank J. Dewane, and Mr. Sean Callahan (May 2017)
- "Regulating Carbon Emissions from Power Plants in Virginia -- Update 1," from the SJN CCH Ministry (June 2017)
Green Climate Fund
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to assist vulnerable countries adapt to the effects of climate change, especially least developed nations, small island developing states, and African nations. It helps developing countries find sustainable sources of energy and new ways of farming and living amid climate disruption. The U.S. has pledged $3 billion to the GCF. This amount represent an important commitment on the part of the United States, which has been one of the world’s heaviest emitters of greenhouse gases, to the people in the developing countries who bear the brunt of the effects of climate change. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has urged full funding of annual appropriations for the GCF. For additional information, click on the resources listed below.
- “United States Support for Global Efforts to Combat Carbon Pollution and Build Resilience” fact sheet from the White House (Nov. 2014)
- “About the Green Climate Fund” background paper from the Catholic Climate Covenant (Sept. 2015, updated July 2016)
- Letter to Congress on Green Climate Fund and Support of Agreement on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, Bishop Oscar Cantú, Sr. Donna Markham, and Dr. Carolyn Woo (Oct. 2015)
- “Global Climate Change” background paper from USCCB (Jan. 2016)